Good tow vehicle wanted

[bryandc3]

Im after a solid tow vehicle, havent quite decided what I want yet though so any tips on what makes a good towing vehicle (and what makes a bad one) would be much appreciated. I intend to tow my A-framed zuki escudo and occasionally a boat.

my budget it is between 2.5k and 3k

so far I have looked at:
subaru station wagon 2L twin turbo
v6 terrano
and v6 commy

any help/suggestions would be wicked
cheers
Bryan

[snotgoblin]

What size boat you looking at towing? How far? What sort of ramps you use for launching?

Subaru twin turbo = super thirsty or so I have heard

[MNC]

Im after a solid tow vehicle, havent quite decided what I want yet though so any tips on what makes a good towing vehicle (and what makes a bad one) would be much appreciated. I intend to tow my A-framed zuki escudo and occasionally a boat.

my budget it is between 2.5k and 3k

so far I have looked at:
subaru station wagon 2L twin turbo
v6 terrano
and v6 commy

any help/suggestions would be wicked
cheers
Bryan

Sorry if this sounds a little blunt but you asked for suggestions;

If your budget is $2.5k - $3k then I'm guessing you don't have a lot of cash to throw around. Why are you looking at petrol tow wagons? Once you hook a boat or your zuki up to a v6 terrano (best option of the 3 listed above and only true 4x4 for beach launching, towing into paddocks, etc) the fuel bill will stop you going out anywhere and enjoying your toys.

I would suggest you look at something like a diesel bighorn or terrano or the likes of... just my 2c.

[MNC]

Here you go mate, a trademe page designed just for you to see what your options might be;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/categor ... =price_asc

[bryandc3]

Sorry if this sounds a little blunt but you asked for suggestions;

If your budget is $2.5k - $3k then I'm guessing you don't have a lot of cash to throw around. Why are you looking at petrol tow wagons? Once you hook a boat or your zuki up to a v6 terrano (best option of the 3 listed above and only true 4x4 for beach launching, towing into paddocks, etc) the fuel bill will stop you going out anywhere and enjoying your toys.

I would suggest you look at something like a diesel bighorn or terrano or the likes of... just my 2c.

Thats a fair point, the boat will only be launched from public ramps, mainly into the tga harbour and then towing the boat 10 minutes to its garage. Also was looking at a petrol simply because my last 4wd was a 2.5 TD pajero SWB and wanted something a bit different. Thats just the cash that I have available, but since I just sold my paj really looking for something in the next week or two or nothing comes up saving for a few more weeks could be on the cards.

Going with a Diesel though does anyone know if theres between the registration costs of a smaller diesel car vs say a LWB safari? Im assuming its done by weight.

Thanks for the input

EDIT: forgot to mention in the first post after a manual not an auto

[mazdamike]

if it is only for towing get petrol way cheeper rego and no road users . for the money u have u would get a good discovery.
they have good power and good tow rating.

[3VILC]

private diesel $592, petrol $333, per year. thats why i didnt get another diesel ute

[MNC]

...Thats a fair point, the boat will only be launched from public ramps, mainly into the tga harbour and then towing the boat 10 minutes to its garage...

Right, if you are only doing very low km's pa then perhaps a petrol 4x4 wouldn't be too bad. Though cost difference in rego's would be quickly eaten up in a few tanks of petrol vs diesel...

My suggestion is based on recent personal experience where we have missed out (decided not to go) on some cool trips that were further away as the likely fuel bill put us off. With hind sight we would be out enjoying our toys more if we had a more economical tow wagon. That's just my situation and view though and others may be different.

[Cameron]

private diesel $592, petrol $333, per year. thats why i didnt get another diesel ute

If you tow a couple of hundred km a couple of times a year that difference is quickly sucked up in a petrol, let alone moderate daily-driving use etc.
Diesel stuff classically has a higher price tag, though. Servicing cost differences, IMO are negligible if nothing 'goes wrong' and you do at least the basics yourself.

Is this vehicle going to be your daily driver?

[Swamped]

Your licencing stuff is at this link
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/registr ... /fees.html

My patrol is $417 a year. Bad luck if you have to pay $592.

[bryandc3]

Thanks for the input fellas, seems like there are some strong pros and cons for both diesel and petrol for towing.

What about around town driving, anyone had experience with both?

[3VILC]

Aye..my safari was under this one
Non-petrol driven - 1-3500kg GVM
596.67
Even tho it was reg as a station wagon. Wonder how you get the fee for a car. Strange must depend what was originally put on the registration

[Swamped]

Yeah from what I've read over the years its fairly easy for them to balls up licencing. But yeah its been like that for ages. Yours appears to be licenced as a goods vehicle though? There was another thread on here recently looking at that too.

[MNC]

... Wonder how you get the fee for a car. Strange must depend what was originally put on the registration

Just go into an AA branch and tell them your wagon is registered incorrectly. They will have a form for you to complete to correct it. Our just update it next time you renew your rego.